Amalgamator



c.' AQHAHN AMALGAMATOR Ang. s, 1939.

sheets-sheet 1 Filed Nov.` 21, 1936 .11.1. u hq nl. lwulvwkww /A/l/f/vroz: can f7. HHH/v,

yf @Wg ,4r-raglan( C. A. HAHN AMALGAMATOR Aug. 8, 1939.

Filed NOV, 21,- 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 I II I kx mm mm QrrOPA/E( C. A. HAHN vAMALMMATOR Aug. 8', 1939.

3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Nov. 2l, 1936 N $.NN

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CIMM @TTQNEK l opening il at the oase oi the to receive As disclosed, the frame liti includes four corner 55 Patented Aug. 8, 1939 i Y i orties AMALGAMATQR Cari A. ilahn, Kirkwood, Mo.

Application November 21, 1936, Serial No. 112,166

6 Claims. (Ci. 209-l98) lThe present invention relates generally to onecnd oi afresh Water supply pipe it, which has amalgamators, and more particularly to a ro` a regulating valve i9.

tary-impact amalgamator for the extraction of A receptacle fle ior holding mercury is dis.- gold or other metals. posed above the reed hopper and hasa pipe An object of the present invention is to proincluding a regulation valve 22 for supplying vide an amalgamation. apparatus in which an mercury into feed hopper at the mouth i5. amalgamator drum is subjected successively to Likewise disposed above ior discharge of its conrotary and to rocking movements. tents into the feed hopper it is a receptacle 25 Another object is to provide a device use having a diechargepipe r6 including a control 10 in the amalgamation of gold, or the like, which valve ill, the purpose or' which will be subsequent- 10 includes elements for effectively and eiiieently ly described. extracting the said gold, or the like, from its ore. A drum, generally indicated Bil, is supported Another object is to provide an ainalgainator in cooperative relation to the fee-d hopper i5 drum which includes removable plates presenting at a predetermined angie to the horizontal to a large area for the amalgamation of gold, and secure gravity flow of material therethrough. 15 the like. The details of the drum 36 comprise an essen- Another object iste provide an amalgainator tial part of the present .invention and will be including a circumferential trap for processing described below. To establish the relation oi the materials which escape unprocessed from drum relative to the other Working parts or the 2.0 main body of the arnalgamator. amalgamation apparatus, it is sufficient to say Another object is to provide, in combination, that it includes an opening Si in an end plate an amalgamator and a heater. 32 to which is fixed a gear 33 having an. opening Other objects and advantages will be apparent therethrough. The cylindrical `portion it of from the following description, taken in conthe eed hopper i5, is adapted to extend thi' ugh 2.3 junction with the accompanying drauings, in the openings and 3l into tL e interior of the 25 which v drum At the end of the drum remote from Fig. l is a schematic View of an amalgamation the plate 32 there is a larg-e circula opening 3%' apparatus. by means of which material into the Fig. 2 is a plan View of ainalgainator drum may exit. 3u constructed in line with the present invention, A large receptacle 37 is disposed beneath the 30 certain parts of the supporting frame broopening 35 to receive the material flowing from ken away for clarity. the drum 36. A pump and a recirculation pipe Fig. 3 is an end elevation oi the device shown line 39 are disposed adjacent the receptacle 3l in Fig. 2. to convey the liquid used in the amalgamation Fig. 4 is a side elevation ci the device shown, process from the receptacle 3l to the above 35 in Fig. 2, certain element-s being breiten away mentioned receptacle 25. The pipe Se includes a to more clearly illustratetl'ie invention. valve da?. An overliow il is provided in a wall Fig. 5 is an end elevation, oppo .trom that of the receptacle i'E adjacent the top for the of Fig. 3, ci the device shown in purpose of carrying surplus material. A o Fig, 6 is@ section on en@ un@ ems of pig, s, Y heater is disposed beneath the drum it for. 40

Fig', 7 i5 a, Sec-'510m (m the im@ im? Of pig, 4i, the purpose of heating materials therewitnin for Referring more particularly to the ravvings Cetn TCVGW DU-YFSQS- by reference numerals, there is in Fig. l. 1.01 COUTS@ 59500301@ Sfllplllg Supm an amalgamation apparatus for the recovery of pliedfo" m33 -TGHRHUOUSLG @19m-Silvsstated, 17 gold, or other metals, from crushed ore. concenthe drum sa www? at? pregermmed 45 trates, and the like. A supply hopper il algle www? lmnjal masmucnjs n? a regulating valve il and discharge pille i2 the appa; amb 1S ecwbd l L- a. is suitably Supporeda positmn to Supply Referring merke particularly to Figs. Z-S, there Crushed or@ 53 or the like? im a hop-m1" M" is disclosed a preferred embodiment of an amal- 50 The feed hopp@ M5 includes il uesha-ped garnator drum and support constructed in line receiving mouth l and a cylindrical discharge with the present invemgm A Sup-,ame meta] portion i6, which is turned at angle to the framework, generally designatell'lfi, supports tnev receiving mouth it. hopper it an drum il@ andits associated opera elements.

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angle bar uprights, the two longer of which are designated and the two shorter 46, two bottom transverse bracing angle bars 4l, intermediate transverse angle bars 48, longitudinal main beams 49, longitudinal top bracing angle bars 50, two top transverse angle bars 5|, and vertical bracing angle bars 52. The main beams 49 are shown as xed to the uprights 46 by rivets 53, but these connections may be by bolts, or otherwise. The remaining bars are interconnected by bolts 54, or the like, gusset plates and 56 being used at certain points to reinforce the frame. The supporting frame may be varied over a wide range as to material, the type of bars, and the specific assemblage of the elements, but that disclosed has been demonstrated as satisfactory.

Two beams 6| of rectangular cross-section of metal or wood are supported by the main beams 49. Each beam 6| carries two U-shaped members 62, the legs of each of which serve as bearings for a stub shaft '53, upon which is journaled a flanged wheel 64. The four anged wheels 84 are disposed in positions adapted to cooperate with peripheral flanges B5 around the outside of the drum 30 to support the drum for rotation.

A longitudinally extending drive shaft 68 is supported on two of the uprights 46 by bearings 81. Each bearing '81 includes an angle member 68 and a shaft retaining member 69. Bolts 59, or the like, secure the members in cooperative relation relative to the shaft 65, and the member G3 to an upright 46.

To an intermediate position of the shaft '66 there is xed a sprocket 15, the function of which will be subsequently described. Likewise xed to the shaft 66 at an intermediate position is a balance wheel 'I8 which may be omitted if preferable. Further, at a position on the shaft 56 adjacent that end of the drum having therplate 32, there is xed an eccentric 1l, the function of which will be presently described.

A shaft is journaled in split bearings 8| and 82 which are supported at opposite ends of the drum by the upper transverse frame members 5|. Adjacent and Xed to that end of the shaft 80 disposed remote from the gear 33 is a gear sector 'l0 (Figs. 2 and 7), which has teeth 1| that are adapted to cooperate with teeth l2 of a gear band 13 which is xed to a section of the drum 30 adjacent the opening 35. Intermediate the bearings 8| and 82 and spaced opposite to the sprocket l5, the shaft 80 carries Xed thereto a sprocket 83. An endless chain 84 cooperates with the sprockets 'l5 and 83 to transmit motion from the former to the latter. Obviously, the relative sizes of the sprocket 15 and 83 will depend upon the speed or power desired transmitted to the drum. A cam 85 (Fig. 3) is xed at the end of ,i the shaft 80 adjacentthat end of the drum having the plate 32, and is disposed outwardly of tlie bearing 8|.

A generally rectangularly shaped frame 88 is disposed to cooperate with the cam 85. The and 90 and transverse members 9| and 92, all of angle bar material. The transverse member 92 has an integral extension 93 that supports at its free end an eccentric guide 94, which Vcomprises the two portions 95 and 96 bolted or otherwise secured together at 8l. The eccentric guide is secured Vto the extension 93 by bolts 98, or the like.

A grease cup 'I9 is connected to the eccentric guide for greasing the eccentric. A rack |08 having Y teeth |0| is fixed to, and exteriorly of, the transverse member 92, and is adapted to cooperatively mesh with the gear 33. A helical tension spring |02 is connected to an angle bracket |03 fixed to the angle bar 48 and to the extension 93 to hold the rack |00 rmly meshed with the gear 33 when operatively engaged and to draw said elements quickly into engagement as the cam 85 turns.

Interiorly of the drum 30 are elongated removable copper plates, generally designated |05, each of which includes an arc portion |08 adapted to snugly fit against a corresponding arc of the interior circumference of the drum 30, and a radially disposed portion |01. These plates |05 are maintained in fixed position relative to the drum by means of screws |08, or the like, and provide a large mercury carrying surface.

At that end of the drum remote from the plate 32 there is provided a trap which comprises a circular member |09 of U-shaped cross-section (Fig. 1) that is connected to the cylindrical portion I0 of the drum 30 by means of the circular angle bar which has one leg ||2 abutting a leg ||3 of the circular member |09. The bight ||4 of the member |09 is adapted to support the aforementioned gear band 13. A circular member |'3 having a at portion and a flanged portion H8 is connected to the circular member |09, the flat portion abutting a leg ||5 of the circular member |09. The flanged portion ||8 defines the above mentioned opening 35. Mercury is placed in the member |09 for clean-up amalgamation purposes. Of course, this attached trap may be formed as an integral portion of the drum body, if desired.

Operation The materials |3 to be processed by the amalgamation apparatus, such as crushed ore, concentrates, and the like, in a prepared state, are delivered to the supply hopper I0, whence they pass by gravity tothe feed hopper I4, the amount passing to the latter depending upon the set of the regulating valve Fresh water, mercury, any desired chemicals, and recirculated solution are admitted into the feed hopper I4 in suitable predetermined quantities along with the material I3. By gravity, all of the aforementioned materials and liquids pass from the cylindrical portion I6 of the feed hopper I4 into the drum 30. The plates I 05 within the drum 30 have been previously treated with mercury. The materials I3 come in contact with the plates |05 of the drum 30 due to alternate rotary and rocking movement of the drum by means of the detailed drive mechanism. The rotary motion is produced by the teeth 1| of the gear sector l0 intermittently engaging the teeth l2 of the gear band i3, the gear sector l0, of course, being driven by the power shaft 68. The source of power for the shaft 66 and the connections thereto are not disclosed, inasmuch as it is obvious that any desired type of power mechanism and connections may be employed.

The rocking movement of the drum 30 is produced by the rack |00 and its driving eccentric 1l cooperating with the gear 33. The rack |00 and its driving eccentric l1 are so coordinated with the gear sector l0 that there is continuous alternate operation of these driven elements. Such coordination is established by means of the cam 85 which rides underneath the transverse member 9| to raise and maintain out of engagement with the gear 33 the rack |00 during the interval that the teeth 1| of the gear sector are in engagement with the gear 'l2 of the gear band 1.3, As can be readily appreciated from Figs. 2

and 5, the cam 85 is driven from the shaft 56 through the medium of the sprockets 15 and 83 and their chain 84 and the shaft 80. Thus, all of the power for the rotary and rocking movement of the drum is taken from the drive shaft 66. The rotary motion provides means for exposing all of the plates within the drum 30 to the material I3 in succession, while the rocking movement brings the material into more intimate contact with the plates through impact action in the backward and forward movement of the drum during the rocking intervals.

From the cylindrical portion IIlI of the drum 3D, that part of the material |3 which has not become amalgamated with the mercury on the plates IIJ5 passes into the member |09, which serves as a trap to hold mercury for amalgamating large and other ore particles which pass the plates, whence waste and liquid flow by Way of the opening 35 into the receptacle 31. That which passes from the drum 30 includes any chemicals which may have been introduced into the feed hopper I4 along with the original materials I3, water, and the waste portion of the processed material. The waste material passes to the bottom of the receptacle 31 and may be removed by any convenient method. The liquid remains at the top and preferably is passed back to the receptacle 25 for use with additional material by means of the pump 38 in the pipe line 39. Should it become necessary to heat materials during processing, the heater 43 may be used, it being disposed directly beneath the drum 3U to avoid loss of heat value.

It is thus apparent that there has been provided an apparatus for amalgamating gold, and the like, with mercury which is adapted to achieve and effectuate all of the advantages and purposes sought in the present invention. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited by the above description and accompanying drawings, which have been given by Way of illustration and example, but is limited only by the following claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a device of the kind described, an amalgamator drum, means for supporting the drum for movement about its longitudinal axis, means for rocking said drum including a gear fixed to one end of the drum, a rack cooperating with the gear, a drive shaft, an eccentric fixed to the shaft, an eccentric housing fixed to the rack and engaging the eccentric, means for rotating the drum including a second shaft, a gear sector fixed to the second shaft and a gear band concentric of and fixed to the drum, and automatically operable means for synchronizing the said rocking and rotary movement to alternately rock and rotate the drum.

2. In a device of the kind described, an amalgamator drum, means for supporting the drum for movement about its longitudinal axis, means for rocking said drum including a gear fixed to one end of the drum, a rack cooperating with the gear, a drive shaft, an eccentric fixed to the shaft, an eccentric housing f'lxed to the rack and engaging the eccentric, means for rotating the drum including a gear sector fixed to the shaft and a gear band concentric. of and fixed to the drum, and means for synchronizing the said rocking and rotary movement including a second shaft mounted on the support, a sprocket mounted on the said second shaft, a sprocket mounted on the drive shaft, an endless chain around said sprockets, a cam fixed to said second shaft in a position above the said rack and its associated gear, and a frame fixed to the rack and engaging the cam, all of said elements being interconnected so that said cam through said frame raises said rack just prior to engagement .of the teeth of the gear sector with the gear band and lowers said rack into engagement with the gear just subsequent to the disengagement of the last gear tooth of the gear sector with the gear band.

3. In a device of the kind described, an amalgamator drum, means for supporting the drum for movement about its longitudinal axis, means for rocking said drum including a gear fixed to one end of the drum, a rack cooperating with the gear, a drive shaft, an eccentric fixed to the shaft, an eccentric housing fixed to the rack and engaging the eccentric, means for rotating the drum including asecond shaft, a gear sector fixed to the second shaft and a gear band concentric of and fixed to the drum, and automatically operable means for synchronizing the said rocking and rotary movement to alternately rock and rotate the drum, said means including a cam fixed to the second shaft and a frame fixed to the rack, said cam being adapted through the medium of the frame to maintain the rack out of engage# ment with the gear during the engagements of the gear sector with the gear band.

4. In a device of the kind described, an amalgamator drum, means for supporting said drum for movement about its longitudinal axis, means for rotating said drum, means for rocking said drum, and means for automatically alternating the rotating and rocking movements of the drum, said last means including a vertically movable frame connected to said rocking means and a cam adapted to move said frame vertically at spaced intervals.

5. In a device of the kind described, an amalgamator drum, means for supporting said drum for movement about its longitudinal axis, means for rotating said drum, means for rocking said drum, and means for automatically alternating the rotating and rocking movements of the drum, said last means including a vertically movable frame connected to said rocking means and a cam adapted to move said frame vertically at spaced intervals to disconnect said rocking means, and common drive means for actuating said rotating means, said rocking means, and said automatically alternating means.

6. In a device of the kind described, an amalgamator drum, means for supporting said drum for movement about its longitudinal axis, means for rotating said drum including a gear band fixed to the drum concentric of the axis of rotation of the drum and a driven gear sector which alternately engages the gear band, rocking means including a gear fixed to the drum and a driven reciprocating rack engaging said gear, and means for automatically alternating the rotating and rocking movements of the drum including a driven cam mounted for rotation concentrically with the driver gear sector and a vertical movable frame fixed to the rack and positioned to be vertically moved by the cam to disengage the rack from the gear during the engagement of the gear sector with the gear band.

CARL A. HAHN. 

